When it comes to content creation for the web, there are two main types of writers: content writer and copywriter. Content writers write content that appears on websites and blogs, while copywriters focus on the words used in marketing materials. So what’s the difference between content writing and copywriting?
What is Content Writing?
Content writing is a form of online writing that focuses on providing informative, relevant, and engaging content for readers. Unlike other forms of writing, such as academic or technical writing, content writing does not require a specific format or style. Instead, writers use their writing skills like creativity and storytelling skills to capture the attention of their audience and communicate their message in an effective way. While the topics that content writers write about can be diverse, some common examples include:
Articles
Blog Post
E-books
Email Newsletters
Web Copy
In addition, content writers must be able to write in a clear and concise manner while still maintaining a strong level of excitement and interest. With these skills, they can create compelling pieces that will capture the attention of any reader so the content can rank well on search engine results pages of Google or other search engines.
What is Copywriting?
Copywriting is the act of writing text for the purpose of advertising or marketing. This text can be used in a variety of media, including:
Billboards
PPC Ads
Product Pages
Sales Email
Social Media Posts
A good copywriter will have a deep understanding of human psychology and know how to craft an effective message that speaks to the needs and desires of the target audience. While some people are natural born salespeople, others can learn the skills of copywriting through study and practice.
Overall Goal
Content Writing
When it comes to content writing, the overall goal is to produce high-quality, well-written articles that will engage and inform the reader.
Copywriting
The goal of copywriting is to persuade the reader to take a desired action. This could be anything from signing up for a newsletter to making a purchase.
Length of Content
Content Writing
There are no hard and fast rules about the length of content, most content writers strive to produce long-form articles that are around 500-700 words in length. This allows readers to consume the high quality content in a manageable amount of time, while still providing them with enough information to be useful.
Copywriting
Copywriters are usually crafting short-form content that is designed to be read quickly and easily. The key is to write in a way that is both engaging and easy to digest, without sacrificing too much in terms of substance.
Tone of Writing
Content Writing
In general, content writers tend to be more informative than persuasive. This is because their primary goal is to communicate information clearly and concisely, without trying to sway the reader’s opinion. As a result, their tone is often more formal than personal.
Copywriting
In order to effectively communicate with their viewers, copywriters often use a conversational tone. This approachable style helps to build rapport and create a sense of intimacy between the writer and the reader.
Final Thought
Both content writing and copywriting are important pieces of the puzzle when it comes to the effective content writing process. However, it’s important to understand the difference between the two so that you can use them to your advantage. Copywriting is all about creating content for persuasion, while content writing focuses on providing informative and engaging content. Keep these differences in mind as you develop your own content strategy for reaching your target audience.
If you’re still not sure which approach is right for you, contact us today and our marketing team will provide a professional view to help you create content that engages your audience and drives conversions.